2022-2024 Year 13 A-Level Psychology - Addiction explanations for GAMBLING addiction - LEARNING THEORY MR
Learning theory explains gambling addiction through Social Learning Theory, which suggests it begins by observing role models being rewarded for gambling. This process, known as vicarious reinforcement, encourages imitation of the behaviour.
What does Social Learning Theory suggest gambling addictions start through?
Observing a role model being rewarded for gambling and imitating this gambling behaviour.
Key Terms
What does Social Learning Theory suggest gambling addictions start through?
Observing a role model being rewarded for gambling and imitating this gambling behaviour.
What is they key term for when we observe a role model being rewarded for behaviour e.g. gambling.
Vicarious reinforcement
Identify two rewards that an observer might see the role model getting for gambling?
Enjoyment/fun
Money from winning/financial rewards
Which theory argues that gambling addictions being formed due to observing a role model gambling and imitating their gambling behaviour?
Social Learning Theory
What is meant by direct observation of rewards from gambling?
Actually seeing someone gamble and be rewarded for it
What is meant by indirect observation of rewards from gambling?
Hearing about someone gambling and winning in newspapers, magazines or social media.
Related Flashcard Decks
Study Tips
- Press F to enter focus mode for distraction-free studying
- Review cards regularly to improve retention
- Try to recall the answer before flipping the card
- Share this deck with friends to study together
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What does Social Learning Theory suggest gambling addictions start through? | Observing a role model being rewarded for gambling and imitating this gambling behaviour. |
What is they key term for when we observe a role model being rewarded for behaviour e.g. gambling. | Vicarious reinforcement |
Identify two rewards that an observer might see the role model getting for gambling? | Enjoyment/fun |
Which theory argues that gambling addictions being formed due to observing a role model gambling and imitating their gambling behaviour? | Social Learning Theory |
What is meant by direct observation of rewards from gambling? | Actually seeing someone gamble and be rewarded for it |
What is meant by indirect observation of rewards from gambling? | Hearing about someone gambling and winning in newspapers, magazines or social media. |
How are gambling addictions MAINTAINED according to the learning theory of gambling? | Through operant conditioning |
Explain the role of operant conditioning in maintaining gambling addiction | Positive reinforcement - when the person wins money or gets a buzz from placing a bet this is rewarding so they repeat the gambling behaviour for same reward. |
What two positive reinforcements does gambling provide? | The excitement of placing a bet or the money win its acts a reward |
Why do positive reinforcements from gambling lead to the maintenance of a gambling addiction? | The individual will REPEATEDLY gamble to get the same reward (buzz or money) |
How does negative reinforcement play a role in the maintenance of gambling behaviour? | If the person does not gamble they will experience withdrawal symptoms - REPEATDELY gambling means they avoid withdrawal symptoms. OR Gambling helps person avoid anxiety of everyday life |
What is meant by ‘partial reinforcement’? | When the behaviour is reinforced SOME of the time rather than every time. |
Why does partial reinforcement lead to gambling being highly addictive? | It makes gambling more exciting as it is unpredictable. |
What is meant by ‘variable reinforcement’ as an example of partial reinforcement? | Behaviour is reinforced as unpredictable intervals e.g. every 2nd time then every 15th time. |
What key term is being described “when behaviour is rewarded/reinforced in a predictable way e.g. a slot machine paying out every 5th time | Fixed rate reinforcement |
State the two types of partial reinforcement | Fixed rate and variable reinforcement |
Which type of partial reinforcement is addictive - fixed rate or variable? | Variable reinforcement |
Which type of partial reinforcement does not lead to an addiction? | Fixed rate |
TRUE OR FALSE: | FALSE the term being described is variable reinforcement. |
Which type of partial reinforcement makes gambling more exciting due to unpredictability? | Variable reinforcement |
Describe partial reinforcement! | When behaviour e.g. gambling is reinforced only some of the time not every time |
Why would rewarding gambling behaviour every time or at a fixed rate NOT be addictive? | It is predictable and boring. |
Why does unpredictability of variable reinforcement make gambling addictive? | It creates more of a buzz |
Finish the sentence | Observing a role model being rewarded for gambling (vicarious reinforcement) |
What two theories are involved in the LEARNING THEORY applied to gambling? | Social learning theory |
How might gambling provide negative reinforcement? | By gambling it allows the person to avoid unpleasant things e.g. anxiety, boredom |
Which key term is being described here: | Positive reinforcement |
Fixed rate and variable reinforcements are examples of which type of reinforcement: | c) Partial reinforcment |
Research to support the learning theory as an explanation of gambling addiction comes from who? | Parke and Griffiths |
RTS the learning theory as an explanation of gambling addiction comes from Parke and Griffiths - what did they find? | Gambling is reinforced due to winning money but also near misses give a buzz/excitement which is also reinforcing. |
What types of reinforcement does Griffiths and Parke's research support? | Partial and variable reinforcement making gambling highly addictive |
P: RTS the learning theory of gambling addiction comes from Parke and Griffiths E: who's research suggests that gambling is is reinforced COMPLETE THE LINK for this PEEL | This supports the idea of partial and variable reinforcement in making gambling highly addictive due to the unpredictability of winning and the excitement associated with gambling. |
Why does Parke and Griffiths research support the learning theory explanation of gambling addiction? | It supports the idea that the unpredictability of winning is reinforcing and therefore makes people gamble more leading to addiction. |
What practical application comes from the learning theory to explain gambling addiction? | Aversion therapy |
How does the practical application aversion therapy use the ideas from the learning theory? | The gambler will be given electric shocks and will associate gambling with this negative stimuli rather than pleasure/excitement |
What does the practical application aversion therapy give to gambling addicts as a negative stimuli? | Electric shocks |
What type of determinism is the learning theory to explain gambling criticized for? | Environmental determinism |
Why is the learning theory to explain gambling addiction environmentally deterministic? | Because it argues that gambling addiction is controlled by rewards and it ignores free will. |
Give an example of how the learning theory to explain gambling addiction neglects the role of free will? | It ignores the fact that some people may choose not gamble despite the buzz because they are aware they could lose money. |
Through aversion therapy the gambler will learn to __ gambling with pain from shocks rather than pleasure/excitement | Re -associate |
Aversion therapy helps the gambler to re-associate gambling with instead of __ | Electric shocks |
Complete the missing part of the following PEEL P: The learning theory to explain gambling addiction is criticised for environmental determinism. | It argues gambling is controlled by rewards e.g. if someone is rewarded with money or a buzz they will gamble again to get the same reward. |